Awards

The Credit Union Executive Society, Madison, Wis., named Ertis Blake, president of Communications & Other Workers of Jamaica Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd., Jamaica, as the 2010 CUES director of the year. He was honored during an awards celebration at CUES' directors conference, Dec. 5-8, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix. Blake was the first recipient of the award from outside the United States. He has served on the Communications Credit Union board since 1983. Under his leadership, the institution was transformed from an employee-based to a community-based credit union.

Eaton Family Credit Union, Independence, Ohio, announced that Mike Losneck was awarded a Bright Star award on behalf of his work with the Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Almost 50 chambers of commerce across northern Ohio nominated a person from their chamber for the award, which recognizes chamber members who have "made a significant impact on the chamber through membership, retention, sponsorship, economic development, operations and/or education." Each Bright Star recipient is an active chamber member for no less than two years and is likely to be an unsung hero or a dedicated behind-the-scenes volunteer.

Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, Tampa, Fla., was recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the healthiest employers among businesses in the bay area in 2010. The award recognizes a company's commitment to influence employee behavior in making wellness a reality in the workplace. Grow Financial conducts health fairs, seminars on good nutrition and an annual Fitness Challenge, where employees form teams in a weight-loss competition. United Healthcare, the Grow Financial HMO, also offers financial incentives for employees who participate in an online wellness program.

The Illinois Credit Union League, Naperville, Ill., announced the recipients of its statewide Desjardins, Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring awards. NuMark CU, Argonne CU and Great Lakes CU won first place Desjardins awards for youth financial education, while Financial Plus CU, Community Trust CU and Scott CU received honorable mentions. First place recipients of the Dora Maxwell award were Cornerstone CU, Steator Onized CU and GCS FCU, while Financial Plus CU and Scott CU took second place and NuMark CU received an honorable mention. Finally, Scott CU also won the Louise Herring Award, for "making exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in its daily operations and member service."

Indiana Members Credit Union, Indianapolis, won first place honors in the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program for credit unions. The program, sponsored by the Indiana Credit Union League and CUNA, honors credit unions for their involvement and achievements in community projects and activities. IMCU won first place in the category for Indiana credit unions with more than $500 million in assets. The award was presented at the Chairman's Award Banquet during the Indiana Credit Union League 76th Annual Meeting and Convention on Sept. 24 in Indianapolis.

InTouch Credit Union, Plano, Texas, was recognized as best of show at the 2010 Texas Credit Union League marketing and business development conference held recently in San Antonio. The award was based on the credit union's 2009 annual report, which featured a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. The concept was meant to represent the litany of changes that the credit union has gone through, including a name change, a merger and an acquisition.

Medical Area Federal Credit Union, Boston, received an outstanding recognition award from Brigham and Women's Hospital for its response to the financial needs of BWH employees affected by the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The credit union had created a special low-interest loan program for BWH employees that let them provide financial assistance to family and friends in Haiti. Ann-Marie Gordon, MAFCU's vice president of operations, received the award on behalf of the credit union at a ceremony in September.

SELCO Community Credit Union, Eugene, Ore., is proud to announce that Harold Welborn, a member of SELCO's board of directors, has been awarded the Credit Union Association of Oregon 2010 Distinguished Service Award in the volunteer category. The award is given each year by the league to recognize individuals for outstanding accomplishments on behalf of the credit union movement and service to their communities. The award was presented on Oct. 6 at the CUAO's annual meeting.

South Carolina Federal Credit Union, North Charleston, S.C., was recently presented with the 2010 Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Diversity Council at a ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Columbia. Diversity is celebrated at South Carolina Federal through the differences and similarities of its members and employees and by its internal Diversity and Inclusion Council. The credit union has designed products and services to meet the diverse needs of the membership, operating in multiple counties and underserved census tracts in Charleston, Georgetown and Columbia.

St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, St. Helens, Ore. was voted best bank/credit union by the residents of Columbia County, and SHCU teller Mikka Bradley was voted reader's choice best bank teller. The results were announced in the South County Spotlight newspaper.